Seattle: places to go and things to do

Getting around Seattle

Keep Pike Place and the central waterfront in one cluster, and Seattle Center in another. The monorail links downtown with Seattle Center, while Kerry Park involves an uphill neighborhood journey. Gas Works Park is across Lake Union and needs its own transit or driving plan.

Plan for the weather

A light rain layer helps with market-to-waterfront walks. Wind and showers can shorten a viewpoint visit, so choose a museum alternative before leaving. Wet hills and park paths call for appropriate shoes; a grey day does not prevent an indoor glass-art or music-focused outing.

Places covered in these guides

• Pike Place Market

  Downtown · Public market. A downtown public market with produce, food merchants, crafts, and multiple levels to explore.

• Olympic Sculpture Park

  Belltown waterfront · Outdoor art park. An outdoor sculpture setting operated by Seattle Art Museum near the waterfront.

• Kerry Park

  Queen Anne · Viewpoint park. A small Queen Anne park known for its view across central Seattle.

• Gas Works Park

  Wallingford · Lakefront park. A park on the north shore of Lake Union with lawns, industrial remnants, and skyline views.

• Seattle Center grounds

  Uptown · Cultural campus. A public cultural campus containing performance venues, museums, outdoor spaces, and major visitor attractions.

• Space Needle

  Seattle Center · Observation attraction. A ticketed observation attraction above the Seattle Center campus.

• Museum of Pop Culture

  Seattle Center · Museum. A museum focused on music, popular culture, and related creative histories.

• Chihuly Garden and Glass

  Seattle Center · Glass art exhibition. An exhibition of Dale Chihuly’s glass work with indoor displays and a garden setting beside the Space Needle.